The Blob: Blobfest Celebrates Movie at Phoenixville’s Colonial Theatre

Small-town theaters across the United States often need to think outside the box to stay relevant—and few have done it more successfully than the Colonial Theatre in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania. Located at 227 Bridge Street, this historic venue has turned its claim to fame into a full-blown cultural phenomenon with Blobfest, a wildly popular three-day festival that pays tribute to the 1958 cult sci-fi horror classic, The Blob.

Built in 1903 as the Colonial Opera House, the theater was originally a hotspot for vaudeville acts, silent films, and stage performances. But in 1958, it achieved cinematic immortality when it was featured in The Blob, a low-budget creature feature starring a young, then-unknown Steve McQueen. Ironically, McQueen was 28 years old while portraying a high school student. McQueen, uncertain about the film’s future, opted to take a flat fee of $2,500 instead of 10% of the profits. That decision cost him big—The Blob would go on to earn over $4 million, becoming a surprise hit and spawning sequels, remakes, and a permanent place in horror movie history.

The movie’s most iconic scene—where terrified moviegoers flee the Colonial Theatre as the gelatinous alien invades—was filmed on-site and remains etched in horror history. Every year during Blobfest, fans recreate the legendary “Run Out” scene, rushing out of the same theater doors in a playful homage that draws thousands of attendees.

Blobfest has grown into a major annual event, attracting a mix of horror enthusiasts, retro film buffs, and curious tourists from across the country. The celebration features costume contests, vintage sci-fi screenings, live music, street vendors, and Q&A sessions with genre experts. The festival is not only a tribute to The Blob, but also a celebration of classic horror cinema and grassroots fandom. For the town of Phoenixville, it has become a point of pride and a boost for local tourism.

The original Blob was a masterclass in low-budget special effects. The creature itself was portrayed using a modified weather balloon, later enhanced with dyed silicone gel to give it its oozy, otherworldly texture. Through practical effects, creative camera work, and minimal resources, filmmakers created a lasting icon of 1950s sci-fi. Interestingly, the film being shown inside the Colonial during the attack scene was Daughter of Horror (1955), originally released as Dementia. The Blob was initially going to be called The Glob, but that name was scrapped after discovering that cartoonist Walt Kelly had already claimed it.

The humble weather balloon, originally designed for meteorological research, found an unexpected second life in science fiction. First as the monstrous Blob, and later as Rover in the surreal 1960s TV series The Prisoner, where it appeared as a surveillance creature that enforced control in the mysterious Village. Both uses demonstrated how practical effects could evoke lasting dread, proving that a clever idea can go much further than a big budget.

Thirty years after the original oozed its way into cult cinema history, The Blob returned to the big screen in a 1988 remake. Set once again in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, the film pays clear tribute to its 1958 predecessor by prominently featuring the Colonial Theatre—the same location where terrified moviegoers fled in the original’s most iconic scene. This nod to the past helped root the remake in nostalgia while introducing the gelatinous terror to a new generation of horror fans.

Despite its upgraded special effects and a darker, more graphic tone, the 1988 version of The Blob failed to replicate the success of the original. With a production budget of around $10 million, the film underperformed at the box office, recouping only about half of its costs. Critics were divided—some praised the inventive gore and practical effects, while others felt the film lacked the charm and suspense of the original. Over time, however, the remake has developed a cult following of its own, especially among fans of ’80s horror and practical creature effects.

Whether you’re a horror aficionado or just looking for quirky Americana, Blobfest at the Colonial Theatre offers a one-of-a-kind experience where nostalgia and screams meet in perfect harmony.